Remote interface for a mobile storage system or other equipment

ABSTRACT

A communication system for providing the ability to control, monitor or diagnose equipment such as a mobile storage system having a series of movable storage units. Each storage unit includes a controller or operational interface, and a communication interface is interconnected with the controller. The communication interface preferably provides access to the controller via the Internet, which enables access to the controller from virtually any location without the need for dedicated communication software. The communication system enables an owner to have access to information on the mobile storage system from any location, and also enables local service personnel and a manufacturer&#39;s customer service personnel to access information on the system from any location to assist in troubleshooting, servicing and maintenance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60,388,834, filed Jun. 14, 2002.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system for interfacing with equipment from aremote location, and more particularly to a system for interfacing withequipment such as a mobile file or storage system for use inconfiguring, diagnosing, changing settings or ascertaining status of thesystem.

A mobile storage system typically includes a series of carriages thatare movably supported on floor-mounted rails. Storage units are mountedto the carriages, and may be in the form of shelving units, filecabinets or the like. Movement of the carriages on the rails functionsto selectively create an open area or aisle adjacent the storage unit,to provide access to items contained or stored in the storage unit.

Mobile storage systems include a number of parts and components thatrequire periodic service or replacement, or which can malfunction orbreak down so as to require servicing. In addition, certain types ofmobile storage systems may have variable operating parameters that canbe changed or adjusted, e.g. to address varying user requirements oraccording to the types of materials contained or stored in the storageunits. In the past, periodic routine maintenance has been performed onmobile storage systems of this type by a local contractor based onpassage of time, e.g. quarterly, semiannually, etc., regardless of theamount of usage of the system. In addition, in the event of amalfunction or breakdown, it has been necessary for service personnel tobe dispatched to the site without knowing the nature of the problem.This requires the service personnel to load the service vehicle with themajority of parts that could be the cause of the problem in order tosave time, or to know that a return trip to a parts storage facility maybe required in order to retrieve the parts necessary to repair thesystem after diagnosing the cause of the malfunction or breakdown onsite. In addition, prior art communication with the manufacturer of thesystem has been primarily through the local service personnel withoutthe manufacturer's customer service personnel. Further, in order tochange settings or operating parameters of the system, it has beennecessary for service personnel to make a service call in order toadjust the parameters or settings on the control system of the carriage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system forremotely monitoring, diagnosing or controlling operation of a mobilestorage system. It is a further object of the invention to provide sucha remote system that can be utilized by the owner of the system as wellas by a local service entity and the manufacturer of the system. Yetanother object of the present invention is to provide such a system forefficiently scheduling routine maintenance service calls. Yet anotherobject of the invention is to provide such a system for enabling remotediagnostic capability, so as to provide efficient repair capability inthe event of a malfunction or breakdown. Yet another object of theinvention is to provide such a system which enables upgrades,alterations or modifications to the operating software of the mobilestorage system. A still further object of the invention is to providesuch a system which is capable of initiating contact with the systemowner or local service personnel in the event the system requiresroutine maintenance or experiences a malfunction or breakdown.

In accordance with the present invention, a mobile storage systemincludes a series of movable storage units, each of which includes acontroller or operational interface, and a communication systeminterconnected with each controller for providing access to thecontroller from a remote location, in order to control, diagnose and/ormonitor operation of the system. In a particularly preferred embodiment,the communication system operates via a global computer network, i.e.the Internet, which provides ease of use and access from virtually anylocation, without any special software requirements for the owner of thesystem. The communication system and the controller are arranged toprovide information as to various parameters of operation of the systemfrom a remote location, so as to allow service personnel to monitor orcontrol operation of the system, or to provide diagnostic tools for thesystem in the event of a malfunction or breakdown. The communicationsystem is capable of initiating communication with appropriateindividuals or organizations, e.g. by use of a decision tree, in theevent one or more operating parameters are determined to be out ofconformance with predetermined settings.

The invention contemplates a mobile storage system as summarized above,as well as an improvement in a mobile storage system and a method ofinterfacing with a mobile storage system, substantially in accordancewith the foregoing summary.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will bemade apparent from the following description taken together with thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carryingout the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a mobile storage system incorporating thecommunication system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one of the carriages for a mobile storageunit incorporated in the mobile storage system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the components incorporated inone of the mobile storage units of FIG. 1 and the communication systemincorporated therein;

FIGS. 4-6 are schematic representations of various installations thatcan be accomplished using the mobile storage system, such as shown inFIG. 1, incorporating the communication system of the present invention;and

FIGS. 7-14 b are views illustrating representative user interfacescreens employed in the communication system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile storage installation in a location such asan office, library, archive, etc. is generally made up of one or moremobile storage systems 20. In a manner as is known, each mobile storagesystem 20 includes a series of storage units 22, and each mobile storageunit 22 includes a motorized, movable carriage 24 (FIG. 2) which istypically supported on a floor by means of a series of parallel rails,such as shown at 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d and 26 e. In a manner as isknown, each storage unit 22 typically consists of a number of individualstorage cabinets or shelving units mounted to carriage 24 in aside-by-side manner, which are adapted to receive books, files, tapereels, or the like.

In a representative construction, each mobile storage unit carriage 24includes a frame 28 that is supported on rails 26 a-26 e via a pair ofwheels 30 that rest on each of rails 26 a-26 e. Frame 28 includeslongitudinal frame members 32 and end frame members 34, and each set ofwheels 30 is supported by intermediate support members 36 that extendbetween longitudinal frame members 32, in a manner as is known. In orderto move carriage 24 along rails 26 a-26 e, a motor M is mounted to frame28, such as to one of end frame members 34. Motor M is interconnectedwith an output gearbox 38, and a drive shaft 40 is connected to andextends from gearbox 38. Drive shaft 40 is drivingly engaged with a pairof drive units 42 which are preferably arranged symmetrically relativeto the center of carriage 24 in order to reduce skewing, in a knownmanner. Each drive unit 42 includes a drive chain 44 that is engagedwith a pair of sprockets secured to one of the sets of wheels 30, so asto drive the wheels 30 in response to operation of motor M. Arepresentative construction of carriage 24 is shown and described inMuth U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,485, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference. It is understood, however, that theconstruction of carriage 24 may vary from that shown and described.

Carriages 24 are operated in a known manner to selectively create aspace or aisle 46 between adjacent storage units 22, in response tooperation of an operator or user interface 48, to provide access to thecontents of the storage units 22. A mobile storage system of thisgeneral type is available from Spacesaver Corporation of Fort Atkinson,Wis., and is typically known as a programmable electric type system orPOWER PRO™ system.

In a mobile storage installation of this type, each storage module 22includes a controller C (FIG. 3) that is responsive to operator orsystem inputs from operator input 48 for controlling operation of thestorage units 22 incorporated in each storage system 20. The controllerC is interconnected with the various components of its associatedstorage module 22, such as the motor M, limit and other switches, safetysystem sensors, etc., for controlling operation of such componentsaccording to predetermined operating settings or parameters. ControllerC is interconnected with motor M for controlling its operation, andincludes a system interface that receives inputs from operator interface48 as well as from the various sensors and switches of the storage unit,to enable controller C to contain information on all aspects of thevarious components of the storage unit 22. Controller C may also bemanipulated to set and adjust the various settings and other operatingparameters of storage unit 22. In a representative construction,controller C may be mounted to frame 28 of carriage 24 as shown in FIG.3, although it is understood that controller C may also be containedwithin a space defined by the end panel of the storage unit 22 or in anyother satisfactory location. Appropriate wiring extends from controllerC for connection to motor M and to the other components of carriage 24to which controller C is adapted to be connected.

In accordance with the present invention, a communication system isinterconnected with controller C so as to provide access to controller Cfrom a location remote from the location at which storage system 20 isinstalled. In a manner to be explained, the communication system isoperable to monitor, diagnose and/or control storage system 20 from aremote location, so as to facilitate servicing, repair and maintenanceof storage system 20.

In a first embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, acommunication interface in the form of a web server or interface 50 isconnected to the controller C of each storage module 22. Web interface50 may be incorporated in the same housing as controller C for mountingto carriage 24, or may be contained in a housing separate fromcontroller C. In addition, the overall installation may include a webgateway for controlling access to the web interfaces or, as in theillustrated embodiment, each web interface 50 may be configured toprovide a gateway function. Each web interface 50 is interconnected in aconventional manner with a global computer network, commonly known asthe Internet, represented at 54.

In operation, using the Internet 54, a user is able to gain access toeach web interface 50, to allow the user to interface with thecontroller C of each storage module 22 from any location having Internetaccess. This allows the user to monitor, diagnose, change settings andotherwise control and interact with storage unit 22 from any location,no matter how remote relative to the location of the installation ofstorage systems 20.

The user interface screen views of FIGS. 7 through 14 b contain arepresentative illustration of the manner in which web interfaces 50provide interface capability for the storage modules 22 that areinterconnected with web interfaces 50.

Using the Internet 20, a user can access web interfaces 50 from anylocation, e.g. on-site, from a remote service location, a remotemanufacturer location, a remote customer service center, etc. Once theuser accesses web interface 50, the user is greeted with a home orwelcome screen 60 (FIG. 7), where the user is prompted to enter a loginID and password, which enable the user to pass through the gateway ofweb i9nterface 50. When the login ID and password have been successfullyentered, the user has options designated HOME, INFO, CONTACTS, LINKS andLOGIN. The HOME screen is the welcome screen 60. Screen 60 provides asingle point of entry from the outside and regulates users of the webinterface 50. The ID and password combination dictates whether a personhas access, but also can be used to restrict access to authorized areasof the interface.

The INFO screen 62 (FIG. 8) provides basic information about theinstallation, including diagnostic information, customer (owner) contactinformation as well as information pertaining to the manufacturer ofstorage unit 22 and an area contractor (AC), which is a local entitytypically capable of providing service and other functions for theinstallation.

The CONTACTS screen 64 (FIG. 9) provides information as to a contactperson for the installation. This is typically information pertaining tocontacts at the manufacturer or at the area contractor, for persons tobe contacted about the installed storage module 22.

The LINKS screen 66 (FIG. 10) provides web page links that may be ofinterest to the user, which are typically associated with themanufacturer of the system.

Once the user has successfully entered the login ID and password, theuser logs into the system to gain access to a system overview screen 68(FIG. 11), which provides a representation of the layout of the systemand the storage modules 22 incorporated in the system. Therepresentative overview screen 68 shows a system in which four storagemodules 22 are located on each of three floors of the installation.

For each storage module 22, the associated web interface 50 providesoptions designated CONFIGURE shown at 70, DIAGNOSE shown at 72, CHANGESETTINGS shown at 74 and STATUS shown at 76. The user's ID and passwordare utilized to determine which of the options the user is allowed toaccess.

Selection of CONFIGURE option 70 provides access to a systemconfiguration screen 78 (FIG. 12), which enables a user to changeparameters of operation of the system so as to dictate the manner of itsoperation. Typically, CONFIGURE screen 78 is used by installationpersonnel to modify the operating parameters of the individual carriages24 in storage module 22. Configuration screen 78 provides boxes forentering numerical values for certain parameters of operation, shown atscreen section 80, as well as various toggle options shown at screensection 82.

Selection of DIAGNOSE option 72 at system overview screen 78 providesaccess to a system diagnostics screen 84 (FIG. 13), which providesinformation as to the present state of various operating parameters ofstorage module 22, to provide real time status of an individual carriage24 incorporated in module 22. Based on information in system diagnosticsscreen 84, the user can ascertain information as to the currentcondition of various operating parameters, to determine whether any ofthe monitored parameters of operation of the carriages in storage module22 are causing a problem. Section 86 provides information as to whetherthe storage module control unit is provided with any option inputs, andwhether the control module is receiving any motion requests from theoperator. Section 86 also provides information as to the status of limitswitches, which control the range of movement of the carriages 24 ofstorage module 22, and whether the safety sweep or other aislemonitoring system associated with the carriages 24 of storage module 22is operating within normal parameters. In section 88 of diagnosticscreen 84, information is provided as to error flags associated withstorage module 22, including an “okay to move” (OKTM) signal dropcharacteristic, a “move too long” characteristic, a “creep too long”characteristic, a “motor speed differential” characteristic, a “no motorcounts” characteristic and a “lost system communication” characteristic.All of these flags are responsive to a monitoring system that ascertainswhether such characteristics are within or without normal operatingparameters, providing a real time picture as to the operatingcharacteristics of the carriages 24 incorporated into storage module 22.Section 88 also provides information as to a redundant safety apparatus,such as is available from Spacesaver Corporation of Fort Atkinson, Wis.under the designation “ZERO FORCE SENSOR” (ZFS), providing an indicationas to the status of the various components incorporated into theredundant safety system.

When system diagnostics screen 84 is viewed by off-site servicepersonnel, and one or more characteristics indicated by systemdiagnostics screen 84 indicate an error or malfunction in a component ofstorage module 22, the service personnel is able to ensure to have thecorrect replacement parts onboard at the time the service personnelmakes a service call to repair storage module 22. This results in moreefficient delivery of service, and eliminates down time that can beexperienced if the service personnel does not have the correct partsonboard at the time of making the service call. Many of the parametersand characteristics, which are monitored and indicated in systemdiagnostics screen 84, are reported in diagnostics screen 84 accordingto the parameters that are set using system configuration screen 78. Atstart-up, the installation is typically made by setting the parameterson configuration screen 78 and then utilizing diagnostic screen 84 toensure that the storage module 22 operates in a manner desired by theuser, which enables the user to change the system configuration settingson screen 78 until desired operating performance is attained.

Diagnostic screen 84 can also be used by manufacturer servicerepresentatives if a local service provider is on site and hasdifficulty ascertaining the nature of a problem. The manufacturerservice personnel can then log into the system to provide remoteassistance to the local service personnel at the same time the localservice personnel is working on the system, either on-site or at aremote location.

Diagnostic screen 84 can be used as the carriage 24 of storage module 22is being operated, which results in real time changes in the readings onscreen 84 to enable service personnel to ascertain the nature of aproblem.

Selection of CHANGE SETTINGS option 74 on system overview screen 68provides access to an interface settings screen 90 (FIGS. 14 a and 14b), which contains the settings for web interface 50 of storage module22. Such settings include customer information, information as to alocal representative or area contractor, modem settings in the event webinterface 50 is provided with a modem, ethernet settings if the customerhas a local area network in order to enable storage module 22 to becomea member of the network, and contact settings which are used if thesystem requires attention. The contact settings enable the system todirect a call for help if certain conditions are present. The contactsettings provide the name and contact information for certain peopleresponsible for the system at various times of day and days of the week,and different persons or contact information can be provided fordifferent conditions which can be selected. The illustrated screens showrepresentative examples of conditions that can be selected from acertain predetermined group of conditions, and the maximum allowablelength of time for each condition can be selected. When the selectedcondition and time endurance are met, the system automaticallyestablishes contact with the predetermined contact person according tothe contact information as input, to provide the contact person with anindication as to the possible existence of an error in operation of thesystem, or at least that the selected condition has endured for a timeperiod exceeding the selected time period. It is understood that anynumber of other conditions may be used, according to user requirementsor manufacturer input. It is also understood that the system may also beconfigured to copy the manufacturer (either blind copy or regular copy)on any condition report that is communicated out from the system. Thisenables the manufacturer to monitor the local service personnel, toensure the customer is being serviced and that the local servicepersonnel are addressing the problem.

Selecting the system STATUS option 76 at system overview screen 68provides access to a basic system status screen (not shown), whichprovides various types of high level information including installationdate, usage count, current status and number of times the system hasbeen accessed remotely. The status screen is more suited to a lesstechnically inclined person, and provides a basic view of historicalusage of an aisle or carriage.

Another mode of communication is possible in the event the customer doesnot have a LAN or other access to the Internet. In this mode, each webinterface module 50 is interconnected with a phone line. From a remotelocation, the interface module 50 is accessed by telephone, and theconnection is immediately cut off. This triggers interface module 50 todial up an ISP to gain access to the internet 54, and the remoteoperator then can connect through the ISP to the interface module 50 tooperate it as described.

Alternatively, the user can dial directly into the interface module 50to establish direct connection to the interface module, although thisprevents access by other users.

The web interface system of the present invention can be incorporated asoriginal equipment in each storage module 22, or can be retrofitted ontoexisting storage modules 22 by adding a web interface board to thecontrol module board. Such connections can be made either via wired orwireless connection system.

Additional features and characteristics of the system of the presentinvention are as follows.

The communication interface of the present invention connects anelectrically operated mobile storage system to any desired entity, suchas the manufacturer, customer service personnel, or local servicepersonnel, via a web interface and e-mail. A web interface “box” isconnected to the electric control system as well as the internet (eitherpermanently or on-demand). The Internet connection is accomplished byutilizing a customer's existing phone line (dial-up internet access) orLAN (Local Area Network) connection. The communication interface alsoallows a direct connection through a serial port for non-network on-siteaccess. Multiple user connections are supported to provide forconference-type status retrieval or troubleshooting.

The communication interface is preferably in the form of a smallembedded web server that stores its web pages within its own memory. Theweb pages and other on-board software can be updated dynamically via theInternet to prevent obsolescence. Furthermore, the communicationinterface provides expansion to accommodate increasing memoryconsumption as a result of more sophisticated web sites in futurereleases.

The communication interface boasts many features to increase customersatisfaction. It creates a direct link to the manufacturer or to anyother desired entity, including the manufacturer's designated areacontractor or other service personnel.

Information about any system connected to the communication interface isreadily available in many formats. The local contractor or manufacturerservice and installation personnel have only to send an e-mail to thedesired communication interface requesting information, and an e-mail isreturned with the specific details requested. Alternatively, forhigher-use systems, status e-mails can be scheduled to be sent to theinterested parties. The manufacturer may be carbon-copied on allinformation requests to log service activity for parametric analysis.Information can also be viewed by logging into the communicationinterface and navigating the status screens to satisfy informationalneeds.

The communication interface is secured through the use of a loginscreen. Unlimited login identities and passwords are available withinany number of privilege levels (e.g. four). The highest privilege isreserved for manufacturer personnel, while the remaining are used forthe local service personnel and the customer. This allows the customerto dynamically restrict some users while authorizing other users toaccess the communication interface. All logins (successful and failed)are logged to determine hacking attempts and usage levels. Login namesmay be any character combination (including numbers and some specialcharacters), e.g. from three to twenty characters in length. Passwordsmay be eight to twenty characters long and contain any combination ofletters and numbers as well as certain special characters. Theserequirements make hacking the communication interface nearly impossible.Furthermore, the communication interface is not susceptible to viruses.

The communication interface continuously monitors the system to which itis connected for abnormalities and preventative maintenanceopportunities. All such occurrences are reported to the proper entities(as programmed into the communication interface). Abnormal systemoccurrences and maintenance issues are programmable as are the personsnotified. A decision tree methodically defining contact information andoccurrence information simplifies the process of determining who isnotified and for what events.

The communication interface accommodates customers with an existing LANas well as those without. Customers that already utilize a networksimply need to add additional network lines for each system to beinstalled. A quick configuration of the communication interface makes ita part of the customer's network.

Customers with or without an existing network can take advantage of thephone line connection. The communication interface will allow multiplemodules to connect to a single phone line by sharing a modem interfacebox. The modem interface box is functionally similar to thecommunication interface as described, but adds the added capability of aphone line connection. This allows continued system access even if thenetwork should be experiencing problems. Customers with no existingnetwork can utilize this capability to provide outside service to thesystems. However, since the communication interface relies upon networkcommunications to share a single phone line, a small network will haveto be installed to promote this phone line sharing.

It is important to note that regardless of the type ofconnection—Internet via LAN, Internet via modem, or serial—no specialsoftware is necessary. A standard web browser is all that is needed toperform all functions associated with the communication interface.

The connectivity the web interface provides allows for limitlesspossibilities. Companies that desire to provide secure access by meansof a card swipe, fingerprint, or even retinal scans may now do so. If asecurity product exists for a computer, it can be interfaced with theweb interface. Beyond security, databases can be integrated with the webinterface. Once an item is placed into a system it can be inventoriedand associated with a specific location. When a parametric search isperformed for an item, the database will identify exactly where it is,and open the aisle of the respective system in which the item iscontained.

While the invention has been shown and described with respect tocontrolling, monitoring and diagnosing a mobile storage system from aremote location, it is understood that the invention may also beemployed to control, monitor or diagnose any type of equipment having acontroller or other operational interface that is capable of interfacingusing communication protocols.

Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being withinthe scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

1. A mobile storage system, comprising: a series of movable storageunits in a first location, wherein each storage unit includes anoperating interface coupled to the movable storage unit allowing a userto manually enter information at the movable storage unit to control themovable storage unit and for providing information at the movablestorage unit as to one or more operating parameters of the movablestorage unit, a controller configured to receive the manually enteredinformation from the operating interface and control the operation ofthe movable storage unit based on the manually entered information; anda communication system configured to interact with each operatinginterface, wherein the communication system is configured to provideoff-site access to the operating interfaces of the movable storage unitsfrom a second location that is remote from the first location, whereinthe communication system is configured to enable a remote operator inthe second location to ascertain, display and change operatingcharacteristics relating to servicing oversight of the movable storageunits in the first location and wherein the remote operator is able tomonitor, diagnose and control the storage system from the secondlocation so as to facilitate troubleshooting, repair and maintenance ofthe storage system.
 2. The mobile storage system of claim 1, whereineach controller is interconnected with the operating interface, whereinthe controller is configured to control operation of one or morecomponents of the movable storage unit and to sense one or moreoperating parameters of the movable storage unit, and wherein thecommunication system interacts with the controller for providing inputsfrom the second location relating to operation of the movable storageunit, and for monitoring one or more operating parameters of the movablestorage unit from the second location.
 3. The mobile storage system ofclaim 2, wherein the communication system is configured to operate via aglobal computer network.
 4. The mobile storage system of claim 3,wherein the communication system includes a communication gateway in thefirst location that is interconnected in the global computer network,and a communication interface interposed between the communicationgateway and each operating interface for continuously monitoring thestorage system for abnormalities and preventive maintenanceopportunities.
 5. The mobile storage system of claim 3, wherein thecommunication system is configured to initiate communication in theevent the operating interface senses that one or more operatingparameters of at least one of the movable storage units are out ofconformance with predetermined characteristics of the one or moreoperating parameters.
 6. A method of interfacing with a mobile storagesystem including a series of movable storage members located in a firstlocation remote from a second location, comprising the steps of:controlling operation of the mobile storage system at the first locationusing an on-site operator controller in the first location that controlsoperation of the movable storage system; providing an operatinginterface for each storage member of the mobile storage system, whereinthe operating interface is interconnected with the on-site operatorcontroller in the first location and allows a user to manually enterinformation related to one or more operating characteristics of themobile storage system at the first location of the mobile storagesystem; and establishing communication with the operating interfaceindependently of the on-site operator control from a second locationremote from the first location to provide a remote operator in thesecond location with access to the on-site operator controller todisplay and change information related to the one or more operatingcharacteristics of the mobile storage system in the first location so asto facilitate servicing, repair and maintenance of the storage systemfrom the second location.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step ofestablishing communication with the operating interface includes sensingand/or controlling one or more operating characteristics of the mobilestorage system from the second location through the operating interface.8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of establishing communicationwith the operating interface is carried out through a communicationinterface operably interconnected with the operating interface.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein a communication interface for continuouslymonitoring the storage system for abnormalities and preventivemaintenance opportunities is interconnected with each operatinginterface, and wherein the step of establishing communication with eachoperating interface is carried out through the communication interfaceinterconnected with the operating interface.
 10. The method of claim 7,wherein the step of establishing communication with the operatinginterface is carried out using a global computer network.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the operating interface is interconnected with acommunication interface, and wherein the step of establishingcommunication with the operating interface is carried out through acommunication gateway interposed between the communication interface andthe global computer network.